High five for America on Wheels Museum

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The America on Wheels Museum is having a community celebration during the month of April for its fifth anniversary.

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poconorecord.com

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Posted Apr. 12, 2013 at 12:03 PM

Posted Apr. 12, 2013 at 12:03 PM

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ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The America on Wheels Museum is having a community celebration during the month of April for its fifth anniversary.

The museum has been treating families, students and out-of-town visitors to exhibits showcasing motorcycles, bicycles, cars and trucks since April 2008.

"The museum has seen wonderful growth over these five years, including the Restoration Learning Center, the Auto Art Gallery and the HubCap Cafe," says Linda Merkel, executive director. "We will continue to offer our visitors quality exhibits, exceptional educational programs and an overall outstanding museum experience."

This day marks the grand opening of the Restoration Learning Center. The museum is excited to offer this unique multimedia center for visitors and schoolchildren to view the creative and restoration processes involved in returning classic vehicles to their original state of grandeur. Presentations will be ongoing.

"The vision of Safety Square is to provide citizens of all ages a venue to learn how to be safer when walking, riding wheeled vehicles, driving or riding in cars or buses. The goal of this interactive educational tool is the reduction of injury to individuals participating in these safety programs," said Merkel.

The Burn Prevention Network Fire Safety House Program will be on site to teach children fire safety and escape using a grade-rated, validated curriculum developed by the Burn Prevention Foundation.

Children will be able to go inside the Safety House and are taught by trained professional the fire and burn hazards associated with each room. When kids leave the inside of the Safety House, a 911 programmed telephone system, at a table provides children the opportunity to practice calling 911.

The museum will also open a new pedal car exhibit in April. These close replicas of automobiles of the early 1900s were built of expensive materials and propelled by pedal mechanisms. Pedal cars were initially for children of wealthy parents, but after World War II, pedal cars became accessible to more children for whom they were dream toys. Today, private collectors and museums take the greater interest in pedal cars and provide beautiful restorations.

The America on Wheels Museum is at 5 N. Front St. in Allentown. Admission is $8, $6 seniors, $4 students (ages 6-16); age 5 and under and members admitted for free. Children age 12 and under are admitted for free on Sundays, and seniors (62 and older) are admitted for free the first Thursday of every month. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 610-432-4200 or americaonwheels.org.